Minus 17 to European dreams as Bournemouth fairytale continues

It was a night 127 years in the making as Bournemouth added another chapter to their fairytale with victory in their first-ever European home game. And it was no coincidence that was the song chosen at the Vitality Stadium before Bournemouth's first European home game in the club's 127-year history. As supporters lucky enough to bag a ticket for the historic occasion waved flags to the Andy Williams classic, a giant tifo rose from behind one of the stands, bearing the words 'Minus 17 to European dreams. AFC Bournemouth, established 1899'. As recently as 2008, a night like this would have been unthinkable for Cherries supporters. Just 18 years ago, Bournemouth were facing the prospect of no longer existing.

After entering administration, the club were relegated from League One after being handed a 10-point deduction. But that was not the end of their troubles. To be allowed to compete in the 2008-09 season, Bournemouth, then managed by Eddie Howe, had to accept a further 17-point deduction in League Two. It left them at the bottom of the Football League and seemingly destined for life as a non-league side. By the end of the season, the Cherries had not only completed one of the greatest escapes in English football history to secure a 21st-place finish and survival, but had also laid